RAF participation in the Korean War was limited to Sunderland units operating from Japan, and exchange pilots serving with the RAAF (Meteors) and USAF (Sabres).
The Army used Auster AOP.6 aircraft for reconnaisance and spotting.
The Army units often had RAF pilots and maintenance men attached, and when one unit was based not far from Seoul, itself not far from the North/South divide, a number of the groundcrew, formed from a National Service sextet of men recruited from Arkwright's Engineering Co.Ltd, Bilston....they sought something "extra" to occupy themselves. A redundant,damaged,USMC F4U-4B was "bought" for the usual price....several cases of whiskey....from a USMC Sergeant, and work began. Gradually, an incredible sight appeared from the hidden depths of the main hanger. A totally rebuilt "Corsair" was displayed, with an extra-powerful engine attached to the forward fuselage. New cannon were fitted and extra weapon pylons were attached underwing.
It was with some tripidation that the pilot, Flight Sergeant Eric Cheadle, taxied the aircraft out for a test flight. Apart from some difficulties due to the extra power and long nose, the new "Corsair" was a success. A repaint took place and an all black scheme was chosen for night missions. When viewed, however, it was decided that adding a grey/green upper-surface would be better, and this was done to the upper surfaces and some of the fuselage.
Bombs were scrounged, bought and stolen from the nearby USMC base to enable occasional flights to take place. 25 missions were achieved before the groundcrew deemed it unsafe for further flights after an accident taxying.
Also, a 2-seat version was built by the same unit.
